Chris Rock refuses offer to host Oscar 2023 awards

The comedian was slapped on live show by Hollywood actor, Will Smith at this year’s edition of the Oscars.

Chris Rock has reportedly rejected an offer from the organisers of the Oscar awards to host next year’s edition of the academy’s award ceremony.

According to reports, Chris revealed this while on stage at a stand-up comedy show last Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona.

Chris pointed out that returning to the show would look like returning to the scene of a crime.

“Returning to the show would look like asking Nicole Brown Simpson to go back to the restaurant,” Rock said referencing the night of OJ Thompson’s ex-wife’s murder.

During the 2022 award ceremony of the Oscars, it could be recalled that American actor Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for cracking some jokes about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s struggle with alopecia- cancer that has resulted in her bald look.

Will Smith was subsequently handed a 10-year ban by the academy for his actions which led to many controversial takes online, although he has since apologised publicly his family, the Academy and Chris himself.

After taking some time off social media- an absence presumed to be influenced by the incident, Will shared an emotional apology video apologising to Rock and everyone hurt in the process.

Watch the video below:

The academy is yet to comment on Chris’ refusal to accept the offer, however the incoming academy CEO, Bill Kraemer has assured the the slap would be off-limits for jokes at next year’s ceremony.

“We want to move forward and to have an Oscars that celebrates cinema. That’s our focus right now,”  he said.